Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Experienced Estate Planning & Probate Legal Team
Since 1948, Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick has provided specialized legal services in estate planning, probate administration, and trust litigation across Southern California. Our team includes certified specialists and award-winning attorneys recognized for expertise in complex estate matters. We combine decades of experience with personalized service to help clients navigate probate processes, establish trusts, and resolve disputes efficiently.Our practice spans San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, addressing the unique needs of families and individuals throughout the Inland Empire region. With a legacy of Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated professionals and Super Lawyers, we prioritize client education, ethical representation, and practical solutions for estate preservation.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Trust Litigation
Conservatorships
Guardianships
Elder Law
Probate Avoidance Strategies
Details
- Year established: 1948
Highlights and features
- Certified specialists in estate planning and probate law
- Over 70 years of combined legal expertise in Southern California
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorneys demonstrating peer recognition
- Serving diverse communities across four Southern California counties
- Proven track record in complex probate and estate litigation
Associations and certifications
- State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Super Lawyers
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help clients create comprehensive legal frameworks for asset distribution. We draft wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives tailored to individual family needs. Clients benefit from strategic tax planning and legal safeguards to ensure their wishes are honored while minimizing probate complications.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through California's probate process for estates exceeding $100,000 in value. Our team handles court filings, debt resolution, asset inventory, and distribution while maintaining strict compliance with state regulations. Clients receive transparent cost projections to avoid unexpected legal expenses during estate settlement.
Trust Litigation
Our practice resolves contested trust matters including breaches of fiduciary duty and beneficiary disputes. Certified specialists leverage deep knowledge of California trust law to represent trustees and beneficiaries in mediation and court proceedings. We focus on preserving family relationships while protecting estate assets during litigation.
Conservatorships
We establish conservatorships for individuals requiring assistance with personal and financial decisions. Attorneys help families navigate court requirements for elderly clients and adults with disabilities. Our approach balances legal protections with maintaining individual autonomy through tailored conservatorship arrangements.
Probate Avoidance
Our firm specializes in creating trusts, joint property arrangements, and beneficiary designations to bypass probate. We analyze insurance policies, retirement accounts, and real estate holdings to develop customized asset transfer strategies that maintain privacy and reduce administrative costs for California estates.
People
Thomas W. Dominick
Partner & Certified Specialist
Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in estate planning and probate law with over 35 years of experience. Recipient of Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating and multiple Super Lawyers recognitions. Author of 'The Probate Process from Start to Finish' and frequent legal education instructor.
Wilfrid C. Lemann
Partner
Experienced estate planning attorney with extensive background in trust administration and probate matters. Maintains active involvement in bar association committees focusing on estate planning issues while representing clients in complex probate court proceedings.
Questions
What estate planning services do you offer?
We create customized wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives while implementing strategies to avoid probate complications for Southern California estates.
Do you handle probate cases outside of San Bernardino County?
Our probate attorneys represent clients throughout Southern California including Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties for estates valued above $100,000 requiring court administration.
Can you help with trust disputes?
Certified specialists handle trust litigation involving breaches of fiduciary duty, contested modifications, and beneficiary disagreements across San Bernardino, Riverside, and surrounding counties.
What distinguishes your firm in elder law matters?
We combine probate expertise with specialized knowledge of elder abuse protection and conservatorship proceedings to protect vulnerable adults across Southern California communities.
How do you maintain legal privacy for estate transfers?
Our firm implements revocable trusts, joint property arrangements, and beneficiary designations to minimize public record exposure while ensuring smooth asset transfers for California estates.
Reviews (6)
Mark Rothenberg
Aug 28, 2021
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Our estate planning in 2018 was completed to our satisfaction. It was easy to provide the information digitally, a single visit to the office to review, and then in a short few weeks our estate plan was completed.
G. Sabasy
May 08, 2020
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I am also amazed by the positive reviews. I had a similar experience as the prior poster. It seems that at this law firm the customer IS ALWAYS WRONG. I would be extremely careful when you hire a lawyer that treats customers like that.....
Jathon Musella
Sep 19, 2019
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The building is practically empty , with we have moved signs on the different offices. As soon as entered the place everyone was leaving with no explanation. And the lobby has no info on what its business dealings really are.
Kelly Hunt
Dec 17, 2018
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One well written letter to the board in the mobile home community I live in has already saved me $600.00 a year. Multiply that by the number of years I plan in staying there plus, no rent increase ever. I was treated with respect. Loved the letter sent. Really has aided me in regard to a management that thought they could get away with anything. Thank you
Linda Assenco
May 18, 2018
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Attorney Dominick is a very professional and understanding attorney. I was amaze how quickly my mother was able to get her transfer of a deed of trust done with ease especially coming out of town. I would recommend him to all my family and friends.
Carl Dameron
Aug 19, 2017
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This is a great firm staffed by wonderful well informed lawyers who know their business. They have helped my with contracts, business consultations, litigation and other projects. I highly recommend them for business, real estate, nonprofit, and estate planning.
